EPA is in regular contact with DOE, the New Mexico Environment Department and the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center. To date, EPA’s review of the data collected indicates:

That the radiation releases do not pose public health concern.

That DOE followed the procedures previously approved by EPA.

That the WIPP facility remains in compliance with EPA regulations.

Updates

March 30, 2015: DOE has issued its Technical Assessment Team (TAT) Report related to the February 2014 radiological release at the WIPP. The TAT is an independent team of technical experts that evaluated the mechanisms and chemical reactions contributing to the failure of the waste drum in the underground facility. The report concludes that one drum (Drum 68660) was the source of radioactive contamination.

DOE’s WIPP TAT Report released by the Office of Environmental Management can be found at the following link:

December 7, 2014: DOE has responded to EPA’s WIPP Inspection Report & WIPP Summary Report (sent in October 2014) documenting the Agency’s actions and findings related to the February 2014 release at the facility. The attached report includes a schedule and description of implemented and planned activities, as well as identifying improvements to the design and maintenance of the ambient air sampling network and integration of sample handling and analysis.

2014 WIPP Recertification

On March 26, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officially submitted the third Compliance Recertification Application (CRA) to EPA, initiating the recertification process required by Congress. Recertification is not a reconsideration of the decision to open WIPP, but rather a process to verify that changes at the facility in the preceding five-year period comply with EPA's disposal standards for radioactive waste. Please check the page below periodically for future updates.

2009-2010 WIPP Recertification

On March 24, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officially submitted the second Compliance Recertification Application (CRA) to EPA, initiating the recertification process required by Congress. Recertification is not a reconsideration of the decision to open WIPP, but rather a process to verify that changes at the facility in the preceding five-year period comply with EPA's disposal standards for radioactive waste.

EPA issued its second recertification decision for WIPP on November 18, 2010. EPA determined that the U.S. Department of Energy facility continues to comply with the Agency's waste disposal regulations and compliance criteria.

2004-2006 WIPP Recertification

EPA issued its first recertification decision for WIPP in March 2006. EPA determined that the U.S. Department of Energy facility continues to comply with the Agency’s waste disposal regulations and compliance criteria.